Name:

 Muhammad Razif Addeen Bin Nang Yusmadie (2020849332)

 Muhammad Zulfarhan Bin Noor Azli (2020863842)

Benefits of small group travel

By ARNOLD LOH and RENA LIM

GEORGE TOWN: Deeply affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, tourism is slowly inching
back to life but with smaller groups of visitors enjoying a higher quality of holiday
experience. While in the past, a busload of 40 tourists might have been the norm, travellers in
the new norm now prefer quality over quantity in smaller private groups of 20 friends or
family members, or even less. With smaller groups on private tours, they could expect to be
taken to places not “covered in the guidebooks”, said Penang Tourist Guides Association
(PTGA) vice-president Clement Liang. “We have time to show our tourists the nooks and
corners, our little old shops in the back lanes that outsiders don’t know about,” he said,
adding that this would afford them an experience previously not enjoyed. (Beginning of
article)

Although such tours would be a little costlier, small group, said Liang, allowed for greater
flexibility and a tailor-made experience. “It is a customised tour package and long ago, this
was how it was done. Because of the pandemic, this old way is returning,” he said, advising
travellers to rely on reputable travel agents registered with the Tourism, Arts and Culture
Ministry. Also expressing his happiness with the growing trend of private tours is Malaysian
Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) president Datuk Tan Kok Liang.
(Argument1- Enjoy the journeys with quality over quantity)

“That was the essence of travel. You go to another place for no other reason than to immerse
yourself in a different culture. You taste their food and see how they make and sell things.

“Then, when you go home, you mix all those new insights with your daily life and create
something new,” said Tan.

Somehow, at the height of mass tourism before Covid-19 struck, all that was lost, he said.
“People went in big groups, rushed through places, took a few photos to prove they were
there and left. It was touch and go, and the real purpose of tourism was lost.

“But because of the pandemic, big groups won’t be happening. So, although the tourism
industry has suffered greatly, it looks like the essence of travel is now coming back,” he said.

Tan said the MATTA Fair on Nov 20 to 21 would be aimed at kick-starting the tourism
industry with the added value of an immersive experience for travellers. “As we reset, I call
on all tour operators to be aware that travellers are price-sensitive now. Let’s make sure we
meet the customers’ budgets,” he added. (Argument2- Affordable with budget travel)

Among the local guides getting back into action in Penang is Joann Khaw, a full-time
licensed guide since 1993.

Khaw recently brought a French family living in Kuala Lumpur on a walking tour of George
Town’s heritage enclave and before that, a large family from Kuala Lumpur who wanted to
go on a “foodie” trip.

Khaw described leading a small group as “joyous” because it gave her the chance to
thoroughly explain the little details, such as the ones on Penang’s heritage buildings.

“I could help them appreciate the progression of the architecture of our pre-war houses over
the centuries,” she added.

PTGA president P.C. Chin said Penang’s licensed guides would soon be given special
training on maintaining strict Covid-19 precautions during guided tours. “Tour guides must
lead in helping travellers stay safe from the virus. Sometimes, in the excitement of visiting
new places, they might forget themselves. “So it is the job of the guides to make sure that
basic rules like physical distancing and constant sanitising are always practised,” said Chin.
(Argument3- Avoid contagion of Covid-19)
 Benefits of Small Group Travel at The Present Time

Issues: How small group travel bring more benefits than travel in busload of tourism?

Contentious: Tourists and travelers

Tones: Serious, Formal

Audience: Tourists and travelers that find the benefits of small travel.

Question:

Due to Covid-19 pandemic, tourism is slowly progress back to life. Do you agree travel
in small group bring more benefits than travel in a busload of tourists?

Answer:

Yes, we agree with the notion given above as travel is small group bring more benefits
than travel in a busload of tourists nowadays. In my opinion, travel in small group can bring
more benefits such as enjoy the journeys with quality over quantity, affordable with budget
travel and avoid contagion of Covid-19.

1. Enjoy the journeys with quality over quantity

 travelers with small group size have much more personal level of service care
and attention from their experience tour guide.
 for example, with an average amount of group is so much easier and quicker
to get on and off transport.
 always have so much room with dozen spare seats that we can freely choose
which seat we want.
2. Affordable with budget travel
 pandemic impact many low-income urban families.
 not all people afford to go holiday or trip in large number.
3. Avoid contagion of Covid-19
 it is number one priority to always keep our safety and health in good
conditions while travel.
 tour guide can handle it more efficiently.
Introduction

Overview of the Due to pandemic Covid-19 nowadays, travel in small group

article bring more benefits than travel in a busload of tourists.
The point of the Benefits such as enjoy the journeys with quality over
article quantity, affordable with budget travel and avoid contagion
of Covid-19.

Body 1

Main point 1 Enjoy the journeys with quality over quantity.

Supporting Detail 1 Travelers with small group size have much more personal
level of service care and attention from their experience
tour guide.
Evidence 1 With an average amount of group is so much easier and
quicker to get on and off transport which also give us
much room with dozen spare seats that we can freely
choose which seat we want.

Body 2

Main point 2 Affordable with budget travel.

Supporting Detail 2 Not all people afford to go holiday or trip in large number.
Evidence 2 Pandemic impact many low-income especially for urban
families.

Body 3

Main point 3 Decrease and avoid the contagion of pandemic Covid-19.

Supporting Detail 3 It is important to always priorities our safety and health in
good conditions first especially while travel in group
nowadays.
Evidence 3 Ministry of Health with the help of several other ministries
find an opportunity to create a travel with SOPs that
consider aspects of health, immigration, data tracking, and
continuous monitoring by relevant agencies.